Man charged in attacks on his father

A Finksburg man accused of kidnapping and assaulting his father during three incidents since the first of the year remained in the Carroll County Detention Center yesterday on $200,000 bond.

Kevin M. Cunningham, 21, of the 3200 block of Old Westminster Road was arrested Sunday and also is charged with assault with intent to murder, extortion of $5,000, false imprisonment, assault and theft charges, according to District Court documents.

State police said Todd William O'Keefe told them the incidents began Jan. 4 when he received a telephone call from the suspect requesting help moving a newly purchased sofa to the younger man's house. Mr. O'Keefe arrived at the house and discovered there was no sofa to move. Mr. O'Keefe told police he was struck in the face and knocked unconscious.

Mr. O'Keefe said when he regained consciousness, his hands and feet were tied together and a rope was around his neck. He said he was placed in his truck and driven around the county for several hours, sometimes at speeds in excess of 90 mph. The victim was taken to his own house about 2:30 a.m. Jan. 5.

The victim told police the man demanded $5,000. Mr. O'Keefe said he agreed to give him the money because of past troubles with the younger man.

On Feb. 11, the suspect visited Mr. O'Keefe at work and requested the key to his barn to borrow a fishing rod and gear and promised to return the key later in the day.

When Mr. O'Keefe returned to his barn, he discovered his tools and fishing gear missing and a picture of him on the ground with a pitchfork sticking through it.

Mr. O'Keefe said he went to the younger man's home Saturday to retrieve the barn door keys and became engaged in a struggle with the man. The suspect is accused of pulling Mr. O'Keefe's coat over his head, stealing his wallet and the keys to his truck and fleeing.